Historic British UFO mystery was 'prank played on US air force by SAS'

Britain's most famous UFO mystery was a prank played on the Americans by the SAS, according to insiders.

The truth about the Rendlesham Forest incident in Suffolk, has been kept under wraps for 38 years. But now it is claimed the US air force was fooled by the SAS in revenge for capturing a squad and subjecting them to a brutal interrogation.

The SAS were said to have regularly tested US security by probing the perimeters of RAF Woodbridge in Suffolk. Nuclear warheads were said to be stored there and it was believed to be a key target for Soviet agents. But when an SAS troop parachuted into the complex one night in August 1980 they were unaware the guards had upgraded their radar system.

Their black parachutes were immediately detected and the British were hauled off for questioning. They claimed they were beaten up by their captors who refused to believe who they were and repeatedly referred to as “unidentified aliens”.

They were eventually released 18 hours later after the British authorities intervened. But the SAS soldiers were seething at being called aliens on their own soil and reportedly started plotting their revenge.

British X-Files expert Dr David Clarke, who has been researching the story for three years, revealed: “After their release, the troopers made no complaint at their rough treatment but were determined to get their own back on the USAF for the beating that they had received.

“In particular, their repeated characterisation as ‘aliens’ sowed the seeds of a plan.

“They said ‘They called us aliens. Right, we’ll show them what aliens really look like'.”

The SAS men spent the autumn nights reconnoitring the perimeter of the base where it met Rendlesham Forest. As December approached, lights and coloured flares were rigged in the woods. Black helium balloons were also coupled to remote-controlled kites to carry suspended materials into the sky, activated by radio-controls.

The incident – dubbed the British Roswell – took place over three nights between 26 and 28 December, in 1980.

Military personnel from nearby RAF Bentwaters and RAF Woodbridge, including the deputy base commander, witnessed strange lights in the forest and hovering above the twin NATO airbases which were on high alert as the Cold War was at its peak.

“A great deal of nocturnal Christmas fun was had at the expense of the USAF – and the matter should have ended there,” according to a letter written to Dr Clarke by an alleged SAS source.

“Unfortunately, a senior US officer (Lt Col Halt) led the US contingent out into the forest on the second night and took along his tape recorder.

“The hovering and whizzing lights were sufficiently impressive for him to send a report to the MoD.

“Someone in London recalled the events of the previous August and questions were asked. A few red faces - but also some satisfaction and amusement - followed.

“The USAF was ‘reassured’ at a very senior level and no UK investigation was undertaken – for obvious reasons.”


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/12/30/historic-british-ufo-mystery-prank-played-us-air-force-sas/

I recall when the Americans flew a "Stealth" Bomber over Europe to test it's "invisibility", the only country to detect it was Britain ! Cue red faces again !

I remember that Nicko.

So if the event was an SAS stunt that means the USAF sergeant Jim Penniston who said he actually saw and touched an object in the woods and subsequently wrote down pages of what seems to be binary code, which has been partially decoded, is either delusional or a liar. As is the other person Burroughs?
It does make a nice change from cloud formations, flares and weather balloons though.

IF those USAF personnel were able to "beaten up.." several British SAS officers, than I can only assume that they had them greatly outnumbered at the time...

As American airmen are the wimps and snowflakes of the US military (relative to the other three 'arms' of the services, that is..).

Let alone taking on SAS soldiers, "the best of the best".

Agreed !

I found it hard to believe the SAS were supposedly found and overcome so quickly, although this wasn't a real operation. Their parachutes were noticed straight away apparently, who would authorise a plane and parachutes for such a thing as a hoax, was the plane noticed or helicopter or whatever it was. I know that all sorts of things can go on while actually on excercise but I can't see something like this being authorised or official equipment such as this just being used on a hoax.

sorry miss read that somehow the parachutes were in the initial action. Still agree with Wolfie though.

SAS officers,-------The head sheds, or Green Slime as we called them !

Aren't they known as Ruperts in the regiment?

You are correct,in that Officers are also called Ruperts Among other less complimentary descriptions !